A blog for endurance ride managers to post information on their rides. Presented by Endurance.Net

Thursday, 16 May 2013

W: Descanso Endurance Ride

June 8, 2013

Region I AHA Championship

AERC Sanctioned 25/50 miles

15 Mile Fun Ride

(limited to 150 riders)

Fred Beasom, D.V.M., Head Veterinarian

Terry Woolley Howe, Ride Manager

P.O. Box 399, Descanso, CA 91916

(619) 445-5443

Email: terryhowe@hughes.net

Jennifer Bishop, Asst. Ride Manager

(760) 518-7065

Email: jbishop@att.net

The Descanso Ride is a moderate (plus) to difficult ride. The scenery is beautiful with the ride starting at the staging area in Descanso, and climbing up to the pine trees and meadows of the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. The course is on trails and fire roads, with good footing. There are a few stream crossings. The trail can be rocky in some areas so if it is appropriate, you may wish to consider putting pads on your horse. The trail is safe, but there are some areas that require horsemanship. There is a lot of climbing so you will need to bring a fit horse, or plan to take the full time allowed. You will be sharing the park area with other equestrians, hikers, bicyclists, deer and wild turkeys. There is plenty of room on the trails, but you need to be aware of how your horse reacts to “aliens.” Sometimes having your horse “turn on a dime” is not a good thing—unless, of course, you have on brown pants, and then it’s O.K. We will be having a 15- mile fun ride. There will also be a 15-mile and 23-mile ride and tie event being held at the same time. NATRC will also have rides going on in conjunction with our ride. The course is open to the public at all times and so it is possible to pre-ride the entire course. Maps will be provided ahead of time to all registered riders.

There is crew access to all vet checks, but since hay, bran and carrots will be provided for the horses, rider refreshments at the vet checks and lunches for all riders, support crews are really not necessary.

The basecamp is in an open field next to McClintock’s Saddle Works. Descanso Hay and Feed is also nearby. There is a small store with expensive gas (including diesel), and a café within a mile. The only water source will be a water trough that we will keep filled with a hose. If it is more convenient for you, you may want to bring your own horse water. There are no trees at basecamp, so you may want to bring your own clouds also. Please leave rain at home. All dogs must be kept on leashes.

The entry fee includes a barbequed chicken dinner on Friday night, participation in the ride, food throughout race day, drug test fee, completion award, and dinner at the awards banquet. Additional Friday & Saturday dinner tickets for family and crew may be ordered for $15. I would like to explain about the entry fee. Normally this high fee is only attached to the Warner Springs Ride to cover the cost of the dinner in the lodge that we are charged. The reason for the high fee with this ride, is that in addition to the cost for using the field as the basecamp, we have to bring in a large tent for shade, tables and chairs, and also, the State Park assesses fees. So consider part of your ride fee as a contribution to the park trails.

You may arrive on Thursday. Check in will be on Friday, June 7, 2013, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. The Friday dinner will be served between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The head ride veterinarian will set the criteria for pulse and respiration throughout the ride. The ride meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. Friday evening. The 50-mile course will start at 6:00 a.m. The 25-mile course will start at 7:30 a.m., and the fun riders can leave just after the 25’s. The ride and tie will start at 8:00 a.m.